Summer Institute in Qualitative Research: Putting Theory to Work

Patricia CloughCity University of New YorkPatti LatherOhio State UniversityElizabeth de FreitasAdelphi UniversityDiane ReayUniversity of CambridgeStephanie SpringgayUniversity of TorontoKen GalePlymouth University and Jonathan
WyattUniversity of EdinburghYvette SolomonManchester Metropolitan UniversityMaggie MacLureManchester Metropolitan University

About the Summer institute Learn about the latest in theory and methodology, in dialogue with leading
international theorists. For qualitative researchers looking for stimulating
engagements with theory, from doctoral students to more experienced researchers,
in education, social sciences, health and caring professions, arts and humanities.

Structure of the Summer Institute
The Institute is organised around a programme of keynote sessions, from presenters
with an international reputation in their specialist area. Small group work
allows for follow-up discussion of each keynote. A strand of mini-sessions on
'Putting theorists to work' runs throughout the week, where researchers describe
the influence of a key thinker on their own research, and invite participants
to pursue the implications for their own ongoing or planned research. Delegates
who wish to do so have the opportunity to lead short presentations on their
own research.

The Summer Institute is of interest to qualitative researchers who are looking
for serious and stimulating engagements with theory. It is of particular interest
to researchers and research degree students in education, the social sciences,
and the health and caring professions. Because of its dialogic structure, the
Institute is relevant to both beginning and more experienced researchers.

We welcome groups of research students or staff from a single institution,
who wish to attend the Summer Institute as a cohort.

Note: the Summer Institute is now also available as part of a 30 credit unit on ESRI's Masters of Research (MRes) programme. Applicants
wishing to enrol for this unit, which involves payment of an additional fee,
should contact us at the address below in the first instance.

The Education and Social Research Institute at MMU is a leading
centre for applied social and educational research, with a world-class reputation
for the development of theory and methodology. It is one of the top ten UK education
research establishments, according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise.
Our theoretical work is distinctive in being firmly grounded in our extensive
experience as applied researchers, educators and policy analysts. We do not
just teach theory as an abstract body of ideas: we ourselves put theory
to work in designing better, more critical and more useful research; in
research degree training and teacher education; and in contributions to policy
debates and international collaborations.